[1][2][3] Due to repeated years of low crop yield, American pork and wheat became increasingly prevalent in these countries.

[4] Fueled by the growing policy of protectionism in Europe, many countries proceeded to ban all or some American pork, beef, and wheat imports.

[3][2][5][6] After the Franco-Prussian War and the German national unification, European imports of U.S. wheat, beef, and pork became larger and cheaper, causing local markets to crash, especially after chronic low crop yields.

[6] In February 1883, U.S. President Chester A. Arthur announced his intention to appoint a commission to examine the raising of hogs and the curing and packing of pork in the U.S.

Newspapers and industries were particularly outraged that Germany had insisted upon banning only American pork, supposedly to injure the reputation of U.S. hog products in all other countries.

During 1884 members of congress began receiving letters urging retaliatory actions, but both President Arthur and his Secretary of State, Theodore Frelinghuysen, agreed that a customs war with Germany was undesirable and that it was wisest to move slowly and with caution.

However, no action was taken for four years until 1890, when the bill was approved, and in March 1981 congress passed an act making microscopic inspection of meat compulsory.

According to the McKinley Tariff of October 1, 1890, the President had the power to impose a duty on German sugar beet products, which at this time were being exported to the U.S. in large quantities.